Author Archives: Brad

Farmhouse Restoration:

Outdoor Fireplace

How We Preserve Old Charm In Farmhouse Landscaping

I’ve always loved Farmhouse Restoration projects. There is something very unique about these clients. I find most of them spend a lot of time defining the balance of using modern technology with preserving the character of the old. I enjoy taking this same level of sensitivity to the outdoor living environment. I often propose core elements that would have been used during the original construction of the farmhouse. This practice is not limited to the materials. Lifestyles were very different 100-200 years ago and the design needs to reflect it. I’m also not afraid to mix modern materials into the design if it improves durability, maintenance or better suites the client’s budget. Getting to know where my clients fall on this spectrum is part of the fun. There are no two clients the same making each project unique. Farmhouse Restorations often lend themselves to a “Less is More” design concept. This can be tricky. If I don’t design enough, it looks unfinished. If I design too much, it loses the Farmhouse charm. Striking this balance along with the modern vs. old has been a large part of my success with these projects.

Let me know if you have a Farmhouse that needs restored. I’d love to help transform and preserve the entire property with you.

See More Amazing Before and After Farmhouse Restoration Pictures at:

Award Winning Farmhouse Restoration

Award Winning Farmhouse Transformation

10 Top Landscaping Trends for Central PA in 2014

The New Year has arrived. Every year, there’s a lot of talk of what’s popular and how those trends fit into the landscape and hardscape design world. Nationally, new colors, to stay-at-home dads, to sustainable living, to edible gardening are all having an impact on how landscape and hardscape designers are creating outdoor living spaces for their clients.

Top 10 Landscaping Trends In Pennsylvania

Here are the 10 top landscaping and hardscaping trends for 2014 that you need to know if you live in central Pennsylvania:

Let a certified landscape designer come up with the plans for your dream – Whoever you hire to design your new deck, outdoor kitchen, or any other landscape/hardscape project, should be willing to listen to your dreams, desires, and goals that you have for your outdoor space. After listening to you and asking pertinent questions, a qualified landscape designer should be able to take that information, as well as the raw data of budgets, measurements and yard size to transform it into a plan that meets both your needs and desires.
LED lighting for outdoor living – LED lighting has evolved over the past few years. No longer do you need to sacrifice peace and tranquility with the harsh, blue LED lights of a few years ago. Now, they’re available in warmer yellow colors and softer glows. Additionally, LED lighting saves you money: they use less energy to light your outdoor space and they’re coming down in price.
Low maintenance outdoor living – One of the over-arching themes for 2014 is low-maintenance, outdoor living. Some low-maintenance, landscaping options include adding more drought-tolerant, deer-resistant perennials, shrubs, and trees to your property, as well as adding automatic irrigation and easy to care for deck flooring like composite decking, pavers, and concrete pads. Pergolas and arbors add interest and can connect your outdoor rooms to the rest of your landscape. Consider building bubbling brooks or pondless waterfalls, which require less maintenance than traditional ponds.
Colors, colors, and more colors – Earth tones are still the color of choice for patios and outdoor kitchens. Yet, this season has two interesting color trends forecasted: the monochromatic marriage of black and white, as well as blocks of bright, bold colors. Put away those pastels and think about how your can transform your deck or patio into a black and white geometric pattern. If black and white isn’t your thing, make a statement with bold colors, like deep blues, cayenne reds, and orchid purples.
Millennial Man’s influence on landscape design – Believe it or not, the newest generation of home buyers is coming to age and is having a profound effect on landscaping trends. For the millennials, women are increasingly becoming the breadwinners and men are staying home to raise the kids. Thus, dads are having their say on landscape design and décor. They like to have more DIY-friendly landscapes, man caves, outdoor kitchens, and edible plants.
Sustainability – Sustainability is still a trending buzzword for 2014. Fortunately, there are many sustainable landscape ideas that your designer can incorporate in your property from green walls, to edible potted plants, to adding LED light bulbs to your fixtures.
Adding dimension to your style – Traditional gardening is out. Now, it’s geometric meets carefree by adding flowers of different dimensions and shapes. Tall flowers mixed in with low-lying plant media add dimension and interest to your property’s landscape.
Trees are still in – It’s still trendy to include trees in your landscape. They offer multiple benefits to homeowners, including cutting down on energy costs by keeping your home cooler in the summer and by providing wind-resistance in the winter. They also add beauty, simplicity, and sustainability to the mix.
The organic touch – A love for good stewardship is inherent with our heritage and by using organic materials in your landscape, you continue that tradition of caring for the earth. You can recycle your plant media for compost, as well as use recycled materials, for example, in your landscape design and outdoor living projects.
It’s all about you – The bottom-line to all of this trendiness is you. And a good designer will construct a plan that reflects you: Your tastes, likes, and dislikes. Don’t be afraid to speak up about what you want in your landscape and hardscape projects because you will be living with the finished product for years to come.

Remember, while it’s nice to know the trends, it’s more important that you have the final say-so to your landscape or hardscape design. Some trends change each year, but less maintenance and better design are definitely in for the long haul.
Do you need a certified landscape and hardscape designer? Then, look no farther than River Valley Landscapes. For more information about their design services, call them at 1-800-455-8666 or fill out their contact form at https://www.rivervalleylandscapes.com/contact.html.

How to Prepare Your Landscape for the Holidays

The holidays ignite a special kind of magic in neighborhoods across the United States — pumpkins glowing on porches in October, doorsteps lined with harvest decor in November and twinkling lights wrapping homes and trees come December. For many homeowners, it’s about creating a welcoming space that reflects their personality and makes guests feel instantly at home. For communities, it’s about capturing that same spirit on a larger scale — transforming streetscapes and entrances into festive, inviting spaces that spark pride and attract attention.

A thoughtfully planned holiday landscape sets the scene for the season. With the right mix of fall cleanup, smart planning and decor, your outdoor spaces can do more than look good — they can tell a story, set a mood and make every arrival feel like part of the celebration.

1. Have a Holiday Landscape Preparation Timeline

Planning out your maintenance in advance can help you avoid leaving things to the last minute. Follow this timeline for preparing your front and backyard for the holidays:

Early to mid-fall: Clear away any larger piles of fallen leaves to prevent smothering your lawn, and tidy garden beds. This is also the time when evergreen trees will start to turn yellow on the inside, which is natural.
Late fall: November is a great time to fertilize trees and shrubs, and mulching can protect roots during the upcoming cold weather.
Early winter: If you expect very low temperatures or heavy snow, prepare newer trees and shrubs by staking them securely. Plan for snow removal and avoid piling snow on your plants.

2. Perform Essential Fall Cleanup Tasks

Before the fun of decorating comes the work of tidying. A clean, well-prepared landscape gives the holiday lights and decor a chance to shine against a crisp, neat backdrop. These tasks prevent winter damage and set the stage for a vibrant spring return. Here are some tips for cleaning your landscape:

Clear Away Leaf Piles and Debris

While fallen leaves aren’t always bad for your lawn — they provide essential habitats for wildlife and nutrients for your soil — you should still clear away sticks and larger piles of leaves that gather in your yard, and especially around your entryways and foundation. You can also mulch leaves to maintain a clean appearance while still providing nutrients for your soil.

Complete Final Lawn Care

As the weather cools, you’ll want to slowly begin lowering the blades of your mower to cut your grass slightly shorter than what you would normally mow it. Shortening your grass prevents diseases like snow mold and pest activity during the winter.

Prune Trees and Shrubs

Bare branches can look dramatic against the winter sky, but broken or overgrown limbs may distract from the festive feeling and be a safety risk. To avoid harming your plants, have a professional arborist prune your trees and shrubs to remove dead, damaged, or diseased limbs.

This improves the plant’s shape and prevents weak limbs from snapping under the weight of ice or snow, potentially injuring someone or damaging your property. A healthy tree will give you the perfect frame for stringing lights, hanging ornaments or dressing evergreens in sparkling garlands.

Prepare Garden and Flower Beds

After clearing away spent annuals, enrich your soil with a layer of compost. Then, have a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch applied around the base of your perennials. This insulates the roots from harsh freeze-thaw cycles. Avoid piling mulch directly against the plant stems, as this can trap moisture and lead to rot.

For optimal protection against winter weather, consider professional mulching services. These services offer a variety of mulch options, including organic choices like tree bark mulch, to best suit your plants’ needs.

3. Protect Your Plants From Winter Weather

Front and backyard prep for the holidays should include protecting cold-sensitive plants. A few steps keep your landscape healthy and ready to bloom again in spring, such as:

Shield plants from wind and snow: Broadleaf evergreens like boxwoods, rhododendrons and hollies are especially vulnerable to winter burn, where harsh winds and sun strip moisture from their leaves. Protect them by creating a windbreak or loosely wrapping them in burlap. For upright shrubs, tying the branches together with twine can prevent them from splaying apart or breaking under heavy snow.
Prevent salt damage: Standard rock salt, also known as sodium chloride, is highly corrosive and can cause severe damage to plant roots and surrounding soil. For walkways near garden beds and lawns, choose a plant-safe alternative like calcium chloride or magnesium chloride. These de-icers are effective at lower temperatures and are far less harmful to your landscape.

4. Plan Your Landscape Holiday Decor

The best holiday landscapes look intentional. Planning turns scattered decorations into a cohesive, polished, inviting display. Here are our top tips on how to make your landscape holiday ready:

Choose a Central Theme

When it comes to holiday landscaping ideas, a theme will guide your choices! You might go for an elegant “Winter Wonderland” theme filled with glowing white lights and frosted planters or something with a more playful spirit with candy canes, reindeer and Santa inflatables.

Map Out Your Lighting

Before you climb a ladder, grab a pencil. Sketch your home and yard, then mark where lights will go. Rooflines, trees and pathways make natural focus points. Balanced placement ensures your display glows without being overwhelming. Think of it like arranging a holiday centerpiece — every element has its place.

Select Your Decorations

Lights are the stars, but supporting actors matter too. Wreaths, garlands and festive planters add depth and variety. Place planters of evergreens and berries by your front entry, hang a wreath for instant charm and wrap garlands around columns and railings.

5. Install Holiday Lights and Decorations Safely

A sparkling holiday display should bring joy — not safety hazards and headaches. Safe installation means you can enjoy the view without worry. You can put up temporary holiday lights or use professional installers for outdoor lighting you can enjoy year-round. Professional installers have the equipment and expertise to handle complex rooflines and tall trees safely, but if you do it yourself, you need to be safe. Here’s how:

Install Holiday Lights and Decorations Safely

Choose the Right Holiday Lights

Modern LED lights are the professional standard for good reason. They use up to 75% less energy, last thousands of hours longer than incandescent bulbs and are made from durable epoxy plastic, not fragile glass. Because they produce very little heat, they are significantly safer for use on dry trees and greenery. If you want a warm white glow reminiscent of candlelight or multicolored strands that remind you of your childhood, LEDs deliver.

Follow Electrical Safety Best Practices

Installing lights outdoors, especially in snowy climates, can pose a safety hazard if not installed correctly. Here are essential safety practices for outdoor lighting:

Only use lights and extension cords rated for outdoor use.
Check all strands for frayed wires or broken bulbs before plugging them in.
Connect to a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet.
Avoid overloading circuits by using multiple outlets.
Use insulated hooks or plastic clips to hang your lights, as nails, tacks or metal staples can pierce the wires.
Use outlet timers so your lights turn on and off automatically.

Add Other Festive Elements

Adding inflatables and wreaths will add charm, but be sure to secure them properly. Weather-resistant hooks and ties keep decorations in place through wind and snow. Pathway lights shaped like candy canes or snowflakes add whimsy while guiding guests safely to your front door.

Create a Stunning Holiday Landscape With Professional Help

Preparing your landscape for the holidays takes time, energy and creativity. At River Valley Landscapes, our team can handle everything from mulching and pruning to designing and installing a breathtaking outdoor space, polished and picture-perfect for the holidays.

Contact River Valley Landscapes today to create a stunning holiday landscape.

the right designer

Custom Landscaping Craftmanship in Central PA

Choosing the right landscape designer can mean big savings. It has always puzzled me why some people would pay one company to design their project only to send it out for bids. I guess I know why. People think they are then comparing apples to apples and will get a better price. This can be true to some extent, but all too often they are not comparing apples to apples.

We have a project going on right now that our client called me just to say how impressed he was with our staff and particularly Andy our mason. Andy was scribing a piece of flagstone around a boulder. His craftsmanship really impressed our client, but not another mason on the job site. Our client said the other mason ,representing another company, stopped to watch what Andy was doing. The other mason just shook his head and said that is what mortar is for. I told my client those are the details that are not in specs when pricing out a project. We assume those details while many other companies assume the short cut.

I refuse to believe most people just want the lowest price. I believe people want to be treated fairly while getting the most value for their investment. …………

The Water Garden

Everyone is drawn to water; it is the magical element that connects all life. Casting back my memory to the days of my youth, during one of those seemingly endless summers, I can visualize me and my buddies on a pilgrimage to one of the local ponds. My kid days were pretty good ones, my parents were kind and patient; they didn’t lock me in closets or whoop me for being a boy and by nature a rascal. They allowed me to be a boy and that meant exploration. Many of those serene summer days were absorbed on the grass covered banks catching frogs or turtles, fishing, skipping stones or simply watching the clouds drift by in perfect blue skies. If we tired of the pond, it was off to the local swimming pool to play water tag, or sharks and minnows and at once to be plagued and allured by the girls.

Those days seemed to last for decades. Today, if I am not careful, they are gone in the blink of an eye. Water is still an important part of my life. We are fortunate to have a swimming pool and a water feature in our garden. And now, unlike in my kid days, after an adult day and all it entails, I find a hot shower to be one of the greatest luxuries we have in the civilized world. Water in the garden, with all of its quenching, cooling and cleansing properties can help us revive old memories while creating new ones.

What Is The Naturalistic Model And Its Maintenance

During my first meeting with clients I find they often have a pre-conceived idea of the “naturalistic” water feature as the default model. However, the possibilities for design are wide open. Fountains, reflecting pools, water walls, dry streams, swimming pools, and features with water moving from one level to another, are just a few of the design possibilities . At first, it is the sound a feature makes that our client’s desire. Different types of features will create different types of sounds. When the sound of a fountain or water wall is trickling or softly surging it is calming and peaceful. When the sound of a cascading waterfall is rushing and splashing it is stimulating and dynamic. However, be careful of what you wish for, the sound of the cascading waterfall placed too close to outdoor and indoor living spaces can become noisy and tiring. Beyond the sound a feature creates, the shape of the feature should reinforce the experience of the garden and site. Informal pools will usually work best when they are far from the house. Curved lines will tend to make a small space feel smaller. A simple rectangle, circle or ellipse might help pull the viewer and the architecture of the home into the garden, particularly if it is on axis with an important view from within. Regardless of the shape or size all gardens can benefit from some form of water feature.

If you have a desire to have a naturalistic feature, with the cascading waterfall, then buyers beware. The term naturalistic can be misleading. Although the appearance is unassuming it does not follow that they assume no maintenance. The informal feature can require the interest and skill of a hobbyist or professional to resolve some of the maintenance issues, particularly if you plan to keep fish. I believe this confusion exists with regard to the maintenance of informal planting design as well. A second point which is more subjective has to do with the designation “naturalistic.” Informal may be more appropriate. What is natural about a “naturalistic” water feature existing in the suburban yards they are typically installed in? This is not to say that they don’t have their place in the landscape, particularly if you have a wooded site where the context is more appropriate, or if your design calls for the creation of a wooded setting. But if they are placed by the deck, off the back of the house, with a handful of shrubs and perennials sprinkled like parsley and potatoes around a Thanksgiving turkey, I have to ask why.

When day turns to night a different experience unfolds as the feature is lit from within or serves to reflect nearby artificial light. This nocturnal transformation brings a heightened quality not only to the water feature but to the garden. At its best it can transport you into the presence of a dream world that is soothing, calming and mesmerizing. During our summer gatherings, whether it is during the day or in the evening, we have found our guests usually settle in near one of our water features. It is a testament to the magnetic quality of water.

One of the things I have learned over time is that water features look much larger on two dimensional landscape plans than they do when they are built, particularly with regard to swimming pools. Good designers develop an intuitive sensibility that guides them towards the proper scale and proportion for a water feature and the surrounding elements. For example: if you want a swimming pool, it will most likely be important to design a terrace that balances the size of the pool. The terrace should allow for lounges and possibly dining. The space may need to allow for overflow from the proposed or existing dining and entertaining areas. How the space is organized and how it relates to the site is more important than how many square feet you have. A space that is laid out by a talented designer with a good design process will be more functional and appealing than a similar space that has more square feet of space, but simply fails to work for the intended uses as a result of unsatisfactory design work. Harmonizing the water feature and other elements, with local codes, setbacks, and restrictions requires a balanced design that sympathetically addresses the issues. When the time comes to build be prudent and select a good builder, as water is very unforgiving and mistakes can be costly and thoroughly frustrating to correct.

Hemlock

Natural Setting for Hemlock Screening

“If Pennsylvanians were to select one tree as characteristic of our state, nothing would be better than Hemlock.” So wrote Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock, the “Father of Pennsylvania Forestry,” in 1896. In the mid 1800s Pennsylvania was number one in the country for lumber production and hemlock made up two thirds of that production. This majestic native not only provided wood for homes, but the bark is very high in tannin with is used in the tanning industry ever since it started in this country. On June 22, 1931 the hemlock was adopted as the state tree of Pennsylvania. The eastern hemlock is found in every county in Pennsylvania, but is most common in mountainous regions. The father of landscape gardening in America A. J. Downing felt the hemlock was the most picturesque and beautiful of the worlds evergreens. This plant has a very open conical shape with very dense foliage and branching down to the ground.

The Decline Of Hemlock Trees In Pennsylvania

Alot of hemlocks planted in our Urbain areas today are very much in decline. There are two reasons for this. the first is when hemlocks were taken from there natural environment (growing along cool creeks and streams in very organic soils) and planted in urban areas were the top soil was striped and taken away. Then planted in hard packed clay soils that tend to dry out in the hot summer. This is not an endowment the hemlock can survive in. The second cause of decline is Hemlock woolly Adelgid, this is a small insect that looks like white cotton that attaches to the bark at the base of the needle. Damage is done when this insect inserts its piercing and sucking mouth into the base of the needle and removes fluids. This will cause reduction of plant health, Severe infestations will result in needle drop, die back and death of the tree. The best time to spray an insecticide to control this insect is September though October to try to kill as many adult females before overwintering. Also spring soil injections of a systemic insecticide will give you much longer control of this insect. Although these are very good controls for this insect in our ornamental, this insects continues to devastate our forests of Pennsylvania.

Are you afraid to establish a budget with your designer?

After a client has determined their needs and desires, the next step is to discuss a budget or price range for their project. Some clients have the luxury to work through the design process without establishing a budget, because they want what they want, they have the means to achieve it, and they don’t want a budget to disrupt the design process. But for most of us, establishing a budget is a prudent course of action. Occasionally when I am designing a project, my clients are simply afraid to share their budget with me. They may be afraid that if the project doesn’t cost as much as the budget allows that I will design a plan that implements the entire budget. The reality is I will design a project that creates the best value towards the client’s lifestyle and home. This may mean investing the entire budget or possibly not. The job of a good designer, who has studied and practiced their craft, is to recommend the best solutions with the available resources to achieve the desired goals and objectives.

How To Establish A Design Budget

While it is totally understandable that a client may have no idea what a project will cost because they have not done anything like this before, it still makes sense for the client to establish the maximum cost they can afford for the project. I have presented numerous designs with proposals for installation of projects, where budget was not revealed, and have heard, “I didn’t think it would cost that much. We only wanted to spend this much.” Unfortunately, as a result of not revealing the budget, more time and money is spent on revisions. Revealing the budget would have opened up a discussion of budget analysis. If your price range is inadequate for achieving your goals, then your designer can work with you to either modify your program, or suggest materials and design strategies that might be used to achieve your goals. In this scenario, many of my clients will install their projects in phases in order to achieve their objectives. This course of action still requires budgeting and planning but it is based on what you will spend for the first phase and over time.

Look at it this way, when you purchased your home or your new car you gave the agents the amount you were able to spend. This obviously allowed them to show you what you could purchase within that range. Without this information they most likely would have wasted your time and their own showing you houses and cars that were either above or below your means. Similarly, with a price range in place for your landscape project, a good designer will be able to evaluate your needs and bring them together in a concise plan.

If you build trust with your designer, and allow them to display their talent, you are on your way to establishing a mutually beneficial relationship. The relationship, while supporting the designer, will also provide you with a purposeful plan. If the plan is competently installed, it will at its best, achieve the full potential of your objectives and add meaning and value to your home and lifestyle.

Looking to do a home improvement project?

Buyer beware! This was suppose to be the final clean.

Looking to do a home improvement project?

Spring is a popular time of the year for home improvement projects in south central PA. I don’t want to discourage anyone from doing a home improvement project, but do your homework. My parents like many people in the Lancaster, York, and Harrisburg area had a lot of White Pine damage this winter. You would think I would have a great referral for an arborist, but I don’t. If you had a great experience with any, here is your chance to give them a plug. I would love to have someone to refer this type of work. When they told me the price, I thought wow how can they do it for that price. I should have asked what they are going to do for that price. The picture above was taken after their final clean up.

After a phone call, they did say they will be back to finish cleaning up when they are in the area. We all have stories like this or know someone that has experienced something like this. So how does a consumer know what to look for in a contractor? Here are 5 simple tips.

5 Tips to find a landscape contractor in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg:

Get references from friends and neighbors (the contractor’s reference are handpicked)
Do your research (check industry association www.plna.com, related vendors www.patiopennstone.com, their website, blog, or Facebook.)
Look for thorough designs and proposals (the clearer everything is up front, the less likely there will be any misunderstandings)
Before signing, ask yourself “Did they listen to you?” (a company can’t deliver if they don’t know what you need)
Visit similar type or scale projects (this is the best way to see if the company can handle your project and if you approve their quality) www.outdoorlivinglancaster.com

I know these 5 tips don’t guarantee a smooth project, but I think they can help. Let me know you how your last home improvement project went. Good or Bad. What is your next scheduled project? Spring is coming soon…

What plant is “Not as easy as it looks”?

: Mature Weeping Japanese Maple

What plant is “Not as easy as it looks”?

I’m talking about some plants look absolutely beautiful, but hard to use in design. Acer palmatum, commonly known as the Weeping Japanese Maple is one of those types of plants. I guess this is only true if you are designing for your landscape to look better over time.

The Weeping Japanese Maple

Weeping Japanese Maples look totally different in their first 5-10 years than they do 20 years out. This plant looks so small and cute when it is young. Because it has such a beautiful texture and color, it is often planted next to houses, walkways and patios. People fail to image what this plant will look like as it matures. There is nothing more disappointing to me than to cut down a plant just as it is starting to mature.

You may be saying Thanks Brad, so how do I design with a Weeping Japanese Maple? I love them. Assuming you have the right culture for this plant, I would image this plant 10’-15’ wide and tall. I know they can get taller and wider, but this should be adequate. I would not place any permanent plantings that would infringe in that space for at least 15 years. That will leave you with a very large space between the Weeping Japanese Maple and the surrounding plant materials. I often fill these spaces with temporary plants (3-5 years), easy to transplant or less expensive plants. Some of my favorite choices would include:

Grasses like Pennisetum sp. – Dwarf Fountain Grass; Perennialslike Amsonia hubrichtii – Blue Star or Calamintha nepeta ‘White Cloud’; Shrubslike Butterfly Bush or Deutzia gracilis ‘Nikko’. I also like to fill the space with groundcovers like Cerastium tomentosum – Snow-in-Summer, Vinca minor – Myrtle.

Maybe this is easier than I thought…

Amsonia Hubrichtii

Photo Credit: Melanie Blandford

The Amsonia Hubrichtii Perennial Plant

Amsonia Hubrichtii has been voted perennial plant of the year by the perennial plant association for some very good reasons. This perennial is a plant for all seasons, with its mounding almost arching growth habit, it is great for a border garden or open woodland. This plant is best planted in large masses, it likes full sun to partial shade. Amsonia prefers well drained soils and will tolerates less moisture. As it gets established it will tolerate drier conditions. Arkansas blue star as it is known has a upright mounding growth habit with its narrow willow leaf and a slender round seed pod. With its Powdery blue star like flower clusters at top of a 2-3 foot stem in early spring to the beautiful display of fern like foliage in summer. As November roles around the foliage turns to a golden yellow, This is one of the best fall shows for a herbaceous perennial. Another Amsonia to try is a variety called “Blue Ice” This is a much smaller plant only getting to 15-18 inches tall and a much longer bloom time. This smaller compact plant should also be used as a edging or border plant.